The 3-minute interview with Henry Koltys

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The family law attorney and developer of the KidsFirst! computer program, which develops child custody and parenting plans for separating or divorcing parents, bought Jerry Garcia’s former Marin County mansion in 1997 and is now selling off items via eBay from the house to benefit the nonprofit Sophia Foundation. The proceeds will go to the foundation so it can distribute a free version of the KidsFirst! software to parents and family law courts. Items that have been in storage since Koltys renovated the home shortly after moving in include Garcia’s old kitchen sink, his stereo speakers, a bidet and a two-person Jacuzzi.

Who are your bidders on eBay? They’re everybody from around the country. Some are Deadheads. Maybe they’re bidding to collect it and resell it. I do know from the comments posted that they’re supportive: "It’s a good cause"; "We love Jerry"; "We miss him." I think most of them would have to be Deadheads or someone who wants a piece of history.

Do you expect people to use the items? For a sink or a Jacuzzi I think they’d want to use that to put them in their home and say, "That’s Jerry’s sink."

Was it a thrill to use Jerry’s appliances when you moved in? It was just serving a purpose. I didn’t get excited stepping into the Jacuzzi and knowing Jerry was there.

Are you a fan of Jerry’s music? Did you buy the house partially because it was his? Yes, I love his music. But we bought the house because we liked it. It was a secluded house on 10 acres.

How much money will you raise? As much as we can. Right now the [total amount of] bidding is at about $20,000. You can go to the eBay home page and the bidding for the sink is at $15,000.